Community Brag Posts

We decided to make loft beds for our girls room to offer them more space and also give them some individual room. The old room had daybeds that just took up so much of the room.

I saw the hanging beds on this site and thought they would be great. So I got to work.. I used 1x4 s for the platform to lighten the weight of the bed. I had to customize the sizes a bit but that wasn't a big deal. I used the Kreg jig to joint the 2x4s as well as on the rail posts. They are attached below the platform to the front 2x4. We also used chain rather than rope as chain doesn't give.The ladder I made from 2x4's and used the K Jeg to get tight joints underneath the rungs..at 6'2" and 185 lb they are pretty sturdy..

We are really pleased with the results. The girls love them. Each has their own desk space now, they shared one before, and their own storage space. And it has actually help keep their room clean.. ha....

Cost us with all wood, supplies, hardware, paint, about $150-175

this was super easy and a quick project!  used some wood I already had and it worked perfect for my toddler son's bedroom!

My latest project - a bunk bed for our grandboys, coming to visit in a few weeks from Germany. The end slats are connected with 36 stopped mortise and tenon joints. The rails are connected with 8 through mortise and pegged tenon joints. The drawer pulls are walnut and large enough for a toddler to operate with both hands. The fences use dowels and are pegged on the ends. The ladder utilizes a french cleat to hold it in place.

I think this should have been my first project. My kids love it and will spend long periods of time without demanding anything of me - which means that I can work right there on my other projects! I'd have finished that play house I want to make by now if I had just thought of making this first :)

This is a very easy build and it is very rewarding because it works so well and looks so nice. I used 2x8's instead of 1x8s on the sides because I had a bunch laying around. I would definitely recommend doing that as it is very strong this way. If you use 2x8's be sure to make the short sides a bit shorter to make up for the extra width. I had to make it exactly 2 inches shorter. Also, the arm rests are a bit short because it seems that the 1/2 inch spacing was not taken into account when calculating the length in the directions. I wish I had seen that and made them 1/2 inch longer so the bench back could not move forward as much when in the seat position.

If I had had childcare this would have been a very quick project, not counting the staining. As it is, I am embarrassed to say how long it took to build this. I think I was working on it for two weeks.

I spent more then I originally thought I would but it was still reasonable. The sand cost about $36. It is pictured with 7 1/2cu. ft. bags of sand. I bought 10 so I went ahead and added the other three bags but it is definitly too much sand. I have to dig out for the arm rests to shut the lid. So if you go with 8 bags it should be perfect.
Total cost:
Hinges: 8 @ $2.12 = $17
1x4 6 @ $2.42 = $14.50
Handles: 2 @ $2.00 = $4.00
Stain = $17
2x4 = $4.00
2x8 = Free
Total: $56.50

I love love love this table. I got the inspiration from here, but it is totally original. I made several design change, but I also added handmade iron-forged bolts and washers.Don't forget the floating top!!!!!

I loved the design of the desk, but needed it to be just a little higher so I could use it as a standing desk in my office. (So I'm not sitting ALL day). The plans were easy to understand and very clear.

Thank you Ana....You are awesome!!!

I used these plans and did a little modification!!!!

BP3

I recently refinished an antique oak dresser. It originally had a mirror attached to it but it was long gone by the time I bought it. My wife asked me to take an old mirror from another dresser and to build a new mirror to hang above the newly refinished dresser. I wanted this new mirror to look as if it came with the dresser which was built in the early 1900s.

The front of the mirror frame was built using red oak 1" x 6" stock. I did rip it to measure 4" wide. The mirror is 38" x 24" so I designed the frame so that a 1" lip was available to adhere the mirror to the mirror frame. The corners of the mirror were mitered at 45 degrees. I attached the corners of the mirror frame together using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws.

My next step was to flip the frame over. I then used red oak 1/2" X 6" stock which I ripped so that a 1" lip was available for the mirror. I did not miter this and I attached this using wood glue and 1" finishing nails.

I then used red oak 1/4" x 2" stock and made a frame for the outside of the mirror. This was mitered. I attached it using wood glue and 1" finishing nails. I did set the nails and fill the holes with stainable wood filler.

I then did all my sanding using 120, 220, 320, and 400 grit sandpapers. I rounded the edges a bit.

The appliques were then attached using wood glue and a few 1" finishing nails. I did set the nails and used stainable wood filler.

My next step was applying two coats of gel stain. I then applied 3 coats of fast drying polyurethane. I did some minor sanding between coats.

I then attached the mirror to the frame using mirror adhesive. Next the backing from the old mirror was cut to fit down covering the mirror within the lip. This was secured using "points". Finally the back was covered using paper and double sided tape. A 200 lb. mirror hanger was then attached. It actually contained a bubble level on the hanger. I purchased this at Hobby Lobby.

This is my first project. My wife decided I needed a hobby...and she needed a table :)

I used the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table plans, but modified it to fit our kitchen.

Had some issues with pocket screws coming through on the 1x boards on the top, so be careful with that.

Our version of Anas' Kitchen Prep Cart .... We are in Australia which means we pretty much work by metric.. so the handyman of the house converted all measurements and we used what recycled timber, screws, hinges etc that we had on hand. The making of this all came about as handyman of the house brought home a chunk of timber offcut and I was thinking.. what can we do with this?? lol

Outdoor sectional and coffee table

by Stephanie

This was a first time woodworking project for me. I used salvaged redwood 2x8's from a friend's deck. The table measures.96"x41" and the benches are 34"x12". I used the plans for a Rustic Table and Rustic X Bench. Of course I had to modify them due to the wood I had available and I also wanted to add the breadboards to the table.

I modified the tower by making it a little wider so my husband's stereo components would fit. I used hardware cloth in the door for a more rustic look.

My take on the Rustic X Console

Hello Ana

Just a quick e mail to say how pleased I am with your chair plans , I did add a few extras hope you don't mind.

Modified the single bowl raised pet feeder for two bowls.

Let me tell you how happy I am that I have found this site.. This is my second project from this site that I have completed, but definitely not my last ( just haven't "bragged" about the first one yet) But any who....THANK YOU ANA FOR ALL YOU DO!!!

So I recently bought my first home and since then I wanted to make it MINE.. I always find my self glued to pinterest always looking for something to make or get into. That's when I came across this site and my mind started filling up with ideas and things I wanted to do for my house. When I first moved into my home it was during the summer time, and I didn't have any patio furniture and didn't have the finances to buy any. I know that summer is now right around the corner and I wanted to enjoy my back yard this year and be able to sit outside. Well.. I have found the answer to the problem. Why not build one... And o yea.. for $45.. Wow.. cant beat that.. So I have now completed my first Patio chair.. All I have to do now is Just build the love seat and couch and ill be all completed and set for summer.

The project was not difficult at all.. The only thing I alter was the back tie in, which was suggested in the comments that its better inside the chair then out.. Other than that.. follow the plans and it will be easy and wont cost more than expected.

Enjoy